Portable pool skimmer

ABSTRACT

A skimmer assembly is used in a swimming pool having a water surface, a return inlet and a wall. The skimmer assembly includes an elongate container defining a channel therein. The container has a first side opposing a second side. The first side defines a substantially horizontally oriented, elongate cutout therein. The cutout is in communication with the channel and is configured for communication with the water surface. The cutout has an upper edge and a lower edge. The container has a substantially open first longitudinal end and a substantially closed second longitudinal end with a nozzle disposed therethrough. The nozzle is aligned substantially parallel with the channel and has an opposing inlet and outlet. The outlet of the nozzle tapers toward and is in communication with the channel. A porous trap having an open mouth is connected to the open first end of the container. An elongate hose is disposed outside the container and is connected with the inlet of the nozzle. A device maintains the upper edge of the cutout above the water surface and the lower edge of the cutout substantially below the water surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to swimming pool cleaning devices, and,more particularly, devices for skimming the surface of the pool water.

2. Description of the Related Art

Debris, such as leaves or insects, tend to collect on the surface ofswimming pool water. It is important to remove such floating debris,both for aesthetic reasons and to prevent microscopic organisms, such asmold, from growing in the pool water.

It is known to provide a swimming pool with a built-in skimmer on whicha vacuum is drawn by the pump of the swimming pool's water recirculationsystem. A problem is that the water level must be maintained within arelatively narrow range so that surface water can enter into an areaabove the skimmer. Thus, water must be periodically added or removedfrom the swimming pool to maintain the water level at the levelnecessary for skimming. Another problem is that swimming pools aretypically provided with only one skimmer. Automatic vacuuming devicesare now in common use which clean the walls and floor of a swimmingpool. Such automatic vacuuming devices require usage of the singleswimming pool skimmer as the source of vacuum.

It is also known to use a hose connected to the swimming pool returninlet to project a submersed stream of water toward the open mouth of anet. The stream of water directs debris within the water into the net. Aproblem is that debris must first pass through the gap between the hoseand the net before the flow of pressurized water can carry the debrisinto the net. The distance between the hose and the net can belengthened in order to increase the amount of debris passingtherebetween. However, an increased gap between the hose and the netalso allows the flow of pressurized water to be dispersed therebetweenand to lose intensity. This loss of intensity lessens the ability of thewater flow to force debris into the net.

What is needed in the art is a portable swimming pool skimming device,connectable to a source of pressurized water, which is capable ofmaintaining intensity of water flow over a substantial distance suchthat surface debris may be directed into a collecting device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a swimming pool skimming device includingan elongate tube having one end connected to a source of pressurizedwater, the other end connected to a mesh bag, and a side cutout allowingsurface debris to be drawn into the flow which is maintained within thetube and which directs the debris into the bag.

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a skimmer assembly used ina swimming pool having a water surface, a return inlet and a wall. Theskimmer assembly includes an elongate container defining a channeltherein. The container has a first side opposing a second side. Thefirst side defines a substantially horizontally oriented, elongatecutout therein. The cutout is in communication with the channel and isconfigured for communication with the water surface. The cutout has anupper edge and a lower edge. The container has a substantially openfirst longitudinal end and a substantially closed second longitudinalend with a nozzle disposed therethrough. The nozzle is alignedsubstantially parallel with the channel and has an opposing inlet andoutlet. The outlet of the nozzle tapers toward and is in communicationwith the channel. A porous trap having an open mouth is connected to theopen first end of the container. An elongate hose is disposed outsidethe container and is connected with the inlet of the nozzle. A devicemaintains the upper edge of the cutout above the water surface and thelower edge of the cutout substantially below the water surface.

An advantage of the present invention is that a flow of water issustained over a substantial distance near the surface of the water,maximizing the amount of debris which is drawn into the flow anddeposited into the bag.

Another advantage is that pressurized water is supplied through atapering nozzle, creating a venturi which more effectively draws surfacedebris into the water flow within the tube.

Yet another advantage is that the built-in swimming pool skimmer can bededicated to providing a vacuum to an automatic floor and wall cleaningdevice.

A further advantage is that the level of the water surface within theswimming pool does not need to be maintained within any certain rangefor skimming to occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescriptions of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pool skimmer of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pool skimmer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the tube of the pool skimmer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of a pool skimmer of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pool skimmer of FIG. 5.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, andsuch exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope ofthe invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown an embodiment of a pool skimmer 10 of the present inventionincluding an elongate container or tube 12, a mesh bag 14, and a hose 16connected to a return inlet 18 of a pool wall 20.

Tube 12 includes an open first longitudinal end 22 having an outwardlyextending flange 24 along its perimeter 23. Tube 12 also includes anopposing substantially closed longitudinal end 26 having a detachableend cap 28. End cap 28 includes a nozzle 30 which may be eitherintegrally formed within end cap 28 or detachable from end cap 28.Nozzle 30 has an inlet 32 (FIG. 2) and an outlet 34 substantiallyaligned with the longitudinal direction of tube 12 as indicated bydirectional arrows 36 and 38. Outlet 34 of nozzle 30 is in communicationwith an open channel 40 within tube 12. Outlet 34 of nozzle 30 tapers asit approaches channel 40 of tube 12. Thus, nozzle 30 provides aprogressively smaller passageway through which water may flow, creatinga venturi. Outlet 34 of nozzle 30 also has an oblong-shape, best seen inFIG. 4, extending substantially parallel to water surface 58.

Inlet 32 of nozzle 30 is threaded for connection to a threaded connector41 of an elongate, flexible hose 16. Hose 16 has a first end 43including threaded connector 41 and a second end 45 including a similarthreaded connector 47. It is to be understood, however, that nozzle 30and connector 41, as well as connector 47, can have other matingconfigurations other than threads.

Tube 12 has a first side 44 opposing a second side 46. First side 44defines therein a substantially horizontally oriented, elongate cutout48 having an upper edge 50, a lower edge 52, a first side edge 54 and asecond side edge 56. Upper edge 50 is substantially horizontallyoriented, substantially parallel to surface 58 of the water in theswimming pool. With this orientation, slot 48 can be in communicationwith both channel 40 of tube 12 and with water surface 58. Upper edge 50and lower edge 52 are substantially greater in length than side edges 54and 56, maximizing the amount of surface water 58 which can pass throughslot 48. Lower edge 52 slants slightly upward from second side edge 56toward first side edge 54, adjacent open first longitudinal end 22. Inthe embodiment shown, lower edge 52 slants upward approximately 1 inchbetween second side edge 56 and first side edge 54. This slight upwardslant allows the skimmer to operate without adjustment over a wide rangeof water levels in the swimming pool. The slant also prevents floatingdebris from being pushed back out of channel 40 through the end ofcutout 48 near first side edge 54. First side edge 54 slants sharplydownward from upper edge 50 toward lower edge 52 at an approximately 45°angle toward first longitudinal end 22. This sharp slant prevents waterand associated debris from bubbling up and out of channel 40 throughcutout 48 near open end 22. In the embodiment shown, tube 12 isapproximately eighteen inches long and has a substantially rectangularcross section. Tube 12 is shown as having a substantially square crosssection, best seen in FIG. 4, measuring approximately 21/2 inches on aside. Of course it is also possible for tube 12 to have otherdimensions. In another embodiment (not shown), first side edge 54 issubstantially vertically disposed and is not slanted.

Connection devices in the form of suction cups 62 (FIGS. 3 and 4)interconnect tube 12 with swimming pool wall 20. A pair of suction cups62 are rigidly attached to the outside surface of second side 46 of tube12. Suction cups 62 adhere to wall 20 in a known manner when wall 20 issmooth such as, e.g., a vinyl, plastic, fiberglass or metal pool wall.Screws 64, which can be formed of stainless steel, are used to attachsuction cups 62 to a tube 12, but other varieties of attachment devicescan be used as well. Suction cups 62 must be positioned on pool wall 20such that upper edge 50 is above water surface 58 and lower edge 52 isat least mostly below water surface 58 so that surface water may enterchannel 40 through slot 48. It is also possible to use more than twosuction cups for added stability. If the pool wall has a rough surface,such as formed by concrete, it may not be possible to adhere suctioncups 62 to the pool wall. In another embodiment (not shown), a bracketinterconnects and is screwed or otherwise rigidly attached to both thepool wall and tube 12. It is to be understood that other devices such asfloats and/or weights can be used to maintain water surface 58 betweenupper edge 50 and lower edge 52.

A porous trap in the form of a mesh bag 14 having an open mouth 68 isconnected to open end 22 of tube 12 such that open mouth 68 overlapsflange 24 of end 22. An elastic band 70 holds open mouth 68 in placeover open end 22. Flange 24 retains elastic band 70, keeping elasticband 70 from slipping off of open end 22. Mesh bag 14 has a mesh whichis sized to capture debris which enters therein from water surface 58but which lets water pass through. It is also possible for a plasticclip or other bag holding device to be used in place of elastic band 70.

In use, second end 45 of hose 16 is connected to a source of pressurizedwater, such as return inlet 18 of the swimming pool. Water flows fromreturn inlet 18 through hose 16, and increases in flow speed as itpasses through the venturi provided by the tapered outlet 34 of nozzle30. The water then flows through channel 40 of tube 12, exits tube 12through open end 22, and passes through mesh bag 14. In addition to thewater provided by outlet 34 of nozzle 30, water also flows into channel40 through slot 48, as indicated by arrows 82. Tube 12 is oriented suchthat the flow of water exiting net 14, as indicated by arrow 72, inconjunction with all of the walls of the pool, of which only wall 20 isshown, creates a counter-clockwise flow on the surface 58 of the poolwater, as indicated generally by arrows 74 and 76. Other return inlets(not shown) of the pool, similar to return inlet 18, can also be used tocreate a counter-clockwise flow on surface 58 of the pool water. Thiscounter-clockwise circulation carries surface water and debris such asleaves and insects into channel 40 through slot 48.

Once within channel 40, the flow of water provided through hose 16, asindicated by arrows 84, quickly pushes the debris through longitudinalend 22 and into mesh bag 14. Debris is retained within bag 14 until bag14 can be removed from tube 12 and the debris disposed of. Further, theventuri provided by the tapered outlet 34 of nozzle 30 serves to drawsurface water through slot 48 and into the flow of water in channel 40.The venturi provides a relatively high velocity flow through tube 12which pulls surrounding water through slot 48 and into the fast movingflow within tube 12. The horizontally-oblong shape of outlet 34maximizes the flow of water at surface 58 when outlet 34 is placed atthat level. Suction cups 62 can be positioned and repositioned on wall20 to maintain outlet 34 near the level of water surface 58. The slightupward slant of lower edge 52 of slot 48 allows tube 12 to operate whileremaining stationary over an approximately two inch range of waterlevels in the pool. The slight upward slant also prevents debris frombeing pushed out of tube 12 as it approaches open end 22. The end oflower edge 52 adjacent closed end 26 can be maintained well below watersurface 58 while the end of lower edge 52 adjacent open end 22 can bemaintained slightly above water surface 58 in order to fully enable theupward slant of lower edge 52 to retain floating debris within tube 12.The angle of first side edge 54 prevents water from bubbling out ofchannel 40 through slot 48 near end 22. Such bubbling water would carrydebris back out through slot, 48 along with it. Tube 12 serves to retainthe flow of water and maintain the intensity of the flow withoutdispersion over a substantial length. Since water flow intensity ismaintained, slot 48 can be of a substantial length and the gap betweennozzle 30 and bag 14, through which surface water and debris passes, maybe maximized. This, in turn, maximizes the amount of surface water anddebris mixing with the water flow from nozzle 30 and deposited in meshbag 14. Without tube 12, the water flow would lose its intensity andbecome dispersed between nozzle 30 and mesh bag 14. Thus, the water flowwould not be able to effectively direct debris into mesh bag 14. In theabsence of tube 12, mesh bag 14 would have to be positioned much closerto nozzle 30 in order to receive the fluid flow therefrom. Such areduction in the gap between nozzle 30 and mesh bag 14 would also reducethe amount of surface water and debris that could find its way into theflow of water from nozzle 30 and be pushed into mesh bag 14. In anotherembodiment (not shown), slot 48 is placed in second side 46 instead offirst side 44. This configuration is suited for use in a swimming poolhaving a clockwise circulation of surface water instead of acounter-clockwise circulation.

In yet another embodiment (FIGS. 5 and 6), a tube 77 has a circularcross section rather than a square cross section. Rather than havingsuction cups attached to tube 77, a pair of J-hooks 77 support tube 12at each end. Suction cups 62 are screwed into the backs of J-hooks 78and are adhered to pool wall 20. It is possible to adjust the level ofnozzle 30 relative to surface water 58 by rotating a circular,detachable end cap 80 relative to the rest of tube 77. In a furtherembodiment (not shown), the end cap may include a slot or track andnozzle 30 may be carried by and movable along the length of the tracksuch that the level of nozzle 30 relative to water surface 58 can beadjusted.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a swimming pool having a water surface, areturn inlet and a wall, a skimmer assembly comprising:an elongatecontainer defining a channel therein, said container having a first sideopposing a second side, said first side having a substantiallyhorizontally oriented, elongate cutout therein, said cutout being incommunication with said channel and configured for communication withthe water surface, said cutout having an upper edge and a lower edge,said container having a substantially open first longitudinal end and asubstantially closed second longitudinal end with a nozzle disposedtherethrough, said nozzle aligned substantially parallel with saidchannel, said nozzle having an opposing inlet and outlet, said outlet ofsaid nozzle tapering toward and in communication with said channel, eachof said first side and said second side being disposed between saidfirst longitudinal end and said second longitudinal end of saidcontainer; a porous trap having an open mouth connected to said openfirst end of said container; an elongate hose having a first endconnected with said inlet of said nozzle and a second end connectablewith the return inlet of the swimming pool; and means for maintainingsaid upper edge of said cutout above the water surface and said loweredge of said cutout substantially below the water surface.
 2. Theskimmer assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower edge slants upwardtoward said open first longitudinal end.
 3. The skimmer assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said cutout includes two opposing side edges joiningsaid upper edge and said lower edge, a first of said two side edgesbeing adjacent said open first longitudinal end, said first side edgeslanting downward toward said open first longitudinal end.
 4. Theskimmer assembly of claim 1, wherein said outlet of said nozzle has ahorizontally oblong opening configured for communication with the watersurface.
 5. The skimmer assembly of claim 1, wherein said outlet of saidnozzle is configured to direct water toward said first longitudinal endand along the water surface within said container.
 6. The skimmerassembly of claim 1, wherein said nozzle is detachable from said secondlongitudinal end.
 7. The skimmer assembly of claim 1, wherein saidsubstantially closed second longitudinal end includes a detachable endcap.
 8. The skimmer assembly of claim 1, wherein said container issubstantially rectangular in cross section.
 9. The skimmer assembly ofclaim 8, wherein said maintaining means comprises at least one suctioncup connected to said container, said at least one suction cupconfigured for adhering to the wall of the swimming pool.
 10. Theskimmer assembly of claim 9 wherein said at least one suction cup isrigidly attached to said second side of said container.
 11. The skimmerassembly of claim 1, wherein said container is substantially circular incross section.
 12. The skimmer assembly of claim 11, wherein saidmaintaining means comprises at least one J-hook connected to the wall ofthe swimming pool and carrying said container.
 13. The skimmer assemblyof claim 12, further comprising at least one suction cup rigidlyattached to said at least one J-hook and configured for adhering to thewall of the swimming pool.
 14. The skimmer assembly of claim 11, whereinsaid nozzle of said substantially closed second longitudinal end iscarried by a detachable end cap, said end cap being rotatable relativeto said cutout for adjustment of a level of said nozzle relative to thewater surface.
 15. The skimmer assembly of claim 1, wherein said poroustrap comprises a mesh bag.
 16. In a swimming pool having a watersurface, a return inlet and a wall, a skimmer assembly comprising:anelongate container defining a channel therein, said container having afirst side opposing a second side, said first side having asubstantially horizontally oriented, elongate cutout therein, saidcutout being in communication with said channel and configured forcommunication with the water surface, said cutout having an upper edgeand a lower edge, said container having a substantially open firstlongitudinal end and a substantially closed second longitudinal end witha nozzle disposed therethrough, said nozzle aligned substantiallyparallel with said channel, said nozzle having an opposing inlet andoutlet, said outlet of said nozzle tapering toward and in communicationwith said channel; a porous tray having an open mouth receiving saidopen first end of said container; an elongate hose having a first endconnected with said inlet of said nozzle and a second end connectablewith the return inlet of the swimming pool; and means for maintainingsaid upper edge of said cutout above the water surface and said loweredge of said cutout substantially below the water surface.
 17. Theskimmer assembly of claim 16, further comprising means for retainingsaid open first longitudinal end within said open mouth of said poroustrap.
 18. The skimmer assembly of claim 17, wherein said retaining meanscomprises an elastic band around said open mouth of said porous trap.19. The skimmer assembly of claim 18, wherein said open firstlongitudinal end includes a perimeter having an outwardly extendingflange configured for retaining said elastic band.
 20. In a swimmingpool having a water surface, a return inlet and a wall, a skimmerassembly comprising:an elongate container defining a channel therein,said container having a length and a first side opposing a second side,said first side having a substantially horizontally oriented, elongatecutout therein, said cutout extending substantially across said lengthof said container, said cutout being in communication with said channeland configured for communication with the water, surface, said cutouthaving an upper edge and a lower edge, said container having asubstantially open first longitudinal end and a substantially closedsecond longitudinal end with a nozzle disposed therethrough, said nozzlealigned substantially parallel with said channel, said nozzle having anopposing inlet and outlet, said outlet of said nozzle tapering towardand in communication with said channel; a porous trap having an openmouth connected to said open first end of said container; an elongatehose having a first end connected with said inlet of said nozzle and asecond end connectable with the return inlet of the swimming pool; and aconnecting device interconnecting said container with the wall of thepool.